X Factor star Joe swaps pop for musicals in Northampton show

By Steve Mills

“It’s a bit of an epic,” says former winner of The X Factor Joe McElderry, laughing, when I ask him to describe Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The iconic musical coming to Northampton’s Royal & Derngate from Tuesday May 3 to Saturday May 7.

Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his 11 brothers and the coat of many colours, the show features songs popular to do this day including Any Dream Will Do, Jacob And Sons and Close Every Door To Me.

He said: “It is one of those shows that I think everyone knows about it. I never got the chance to perform it before but am loving wearing the coat.

“I think for me, it was wanting to do something that would challenge me and this has been very different for me.

“It is just a superb family friendly musical and one where most people will know the songs. And even if they don’t, they will know the story.”

“There are so many songs that people know but I think my favourite is Close Every Door. It comes at a really poignant time in the show and it really does change after that song.”

He is also enjoying the reaction the show is getting having started the tour in February.

Joe said: “We have got the audiences going wild, it has been a wonderful experience and the reviews have been really good as well.

“It turns into a bit of a pop concert at the end of the show which is great for me.”

Taking on the part of Joseph is a relatively new challenge for Joe but one that he is relishing.

Joe added: “I love singing but I think for me it is about finding a balance of things that I really enjoy. Obviously pop music is something that I came from but I think that you should always do something that is challenging.

“I think that is why I ended up doing things like Popstar to Operastar and The Jump. I think if you can do something and learn a new skill then I think it is something worth doing.”

Talk inevitably turns to the time when he won The X Factor. McElderry was just 18 when he won the sixth series of The X Factor having been mentored by Girls Aloud star Cheryl and beat off fierce competition from Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon.

Joe said: “For me winning the show has been a 100 per cent being a positive.

“I have been lucky to enjoy six years of success as a result of it.

“It has provided me with other opportunities such as Joseph and for me it is a wonderful show.”

Tickets for the show are priced from £15 to £30.50. Performances are at various times. To find out more and to book tickets, call the box office on 01604 624811 or go to www.royalandderngate.co.uk.